What's better- interactive flat tv or normal projector smartboard setup?

[tl82]

I am looking into the options for the new setup of a classroom. We have normal smartboard setups in most classes but in a couple we have some of the big BenQ interactive screens.

 

Has anyone tried the new SMART 4000 series interactive flat panels? How would you rate them compared to the BenQ and a normal projector/smartboard?

[tmcd35]

We've had one Clevertouch installed and are now planning to migrate all our classrooms over to these over the next xx years. About the same price as a SmartBoard + Projector, better resolutions, clearer display, better calibration, brighter, easier to set up/install. No contest really IMHO.

[unixman_again]

Which one is better? There's only one way to find out...

 

[OxfordBlue]

a lot depends what you want to do with it, if just teacher writing then a smartboard is great for the bigger size but if you want internet, video etc then screens are a good choice if you can afford it. Lamps less of an issue as you have the Casio laser and 10,000 hour lamps from others.

 

which benq screens do you have? they got a lot better since the optical ones a few years back, just got an email about a 79" with android coming out.

[Joanne]

We have CleverTouch throughout here... so much better for seeing in bright sunlight, generally liked a lot by staff.

[localzuk]

For us, we still can't justify the increased cost of interactive TVs.

 

An interactive projector such as the Epson EB-485wi comes in close to £1k. Add in a set of decent speakers and a standard whiteboard, and you've got a full AV install for about £1250. The newer "finger" touch EB-495wi is about £300 more IIRC.

 

However, if and when the price of an interactive 65"-85" TV is around that price, we will be very happy to look at them again, as they do provide a better experience in my view.

[snagrat]

For us, we still can't justify the increased cost of interactive TVs.

 

An interactive projector such as the Epson EB-485wi comes in close to £1k. Add in a set of decent speakers and a standard whiteboard, and you've got a full AV install for about £1250. The newer "finger" touch EB-495wi is about £300 more IIRC.

 

However, if and when the price of an interactive 65"-85" TV is around that price, we will be very happy to look at them again, as they do provide a better experience in my view.

 

65in VividTouch will cost about £1850 without a Smart License.

 

Not far off anymore

[Ephelyon]

For us, we still can't justify the increased cost of interactive TVs.

 

An interactive projector such as the Epson EB-485wi comes in close to £1k. Add in a set of decent speakers and a standard whiteboard, and you've got a full AV install for about £1250. The newer "finger" touch EB-495wi is about £300 more IIRC.

 

However, if and when the price of an interactive 65"-85" TV is around that price, we will be very happy to look at them again, as they do provide a better experience in my view.

 

Completely agree. Plus, you've got a standard whiteboard available for use, in the same place, when you're not using the projector/computer. With an interactive display, if you wanted a drywipe board too you'd have to use up more classroom space. It's just not an efficient use of space, besides being too expensive at the moment...

[localzuk]

That's still 50% higher than the interactive projector, so will not get approved by the boss. Especially when we look at the fact that we can have the projector display at about 85" in size.

[NB9457]

We've had a lot of schools move over and as stated, 65" boards can be had for £1800. Easier to fit (or cheaper if you don't fit, so factor that in), better resolutions, longer life span, maintenance free (no more replacing bulbs, cleaning filters, lost remotes), work great when it's sunny outside.

 

They look a lot neater and nicer too as there's less wires and equipment.

[fairm010]

We are pushing to get interactive screens out everywhere for the reasons stated above.

[localzuk]

We've had a lot of schools move over and as stated, 65" boards can be had for £1800. Easier to fit (or cheaper if you don't fit, so factor that in), better resolutions, longer life span, maintenance free (no more replacing bulbs, cleaning filters, lost remotes), work great when it's sunny outside.

 

They look a lot neater and nicer too as there's less wires and equipment.

 

I'd suggest the same applies to ultra short throw interactive projectors, so don't exclude them from your decision making. They take half an hour to install. They do have some maintenance though, but its relatively minor - we clean the filters on our EB-485Wi projectors once a term. Takes about an hour to do the whole school (30 rooms). Lamps are about £50.

[NB9457]

I'd suggest the same applies to ultra short throw interactive projectors, so don't exclude them from your decision making. They take half an hour to install. They do have some maintenance though, but its relatively minor - we clean the filters on our EB-485Wi projectors once a term. Takes about an hour to do the whole school (30 rooms). Lamps are about £50.

 

That's true, is that for genuine lamps too? I know NEC genuine ones have come down a shed load lately as they're mostly what we install and I've had some bitter experience with third party lamps aha.

 

From the perspective of a managed service though, the panels provide a lot less headache in the long run, but if you're located on site, as you said, it's not as big of an issue as it gives you a lot more time.

[Sagima]

The interactive tv screen thingies are loved in the our primary school. The secondary school/sixth form much prefer the interactive projector both for its size and its doubling up as a normal whiteboard although we don't have many of them they dismissed the tv outright. Most of the high school classrooms are only interactive in he sense that they project their tablets via airparrot/airplay/airserver and inteact with the tablet.

[localzuk]

That's true, is that for genuine lamps too? I know NEC genuine ones have come down a shed load lately as they're mostly what we install and I've had some bitter experience with third party lamps aha.

 

From the perspective of a managed service though, the panels provide a lot less headache in the long run, but if you're located on site, as you said, it's not as big of an issue as it gives you a lot more time.

 

Yup, the genuine ones we have in for spares cost us about £50 each. RRP is only £79 IIRC.

[Tesla]

For us, we still can't justify the increased cost of interactive TVs.

 

An interactive projector such as the Epson EB-485wi comes in close to £1k. Add in a set of decent speakers and a standard whiteboard, and you've got a full AV install for about £1250. The newer "finger" touch EB-495wi is about £300 more IIRC.

 

However, if and when the price of an interactive 65"-85" TV is around that price, we will be very happy to look at them again, as they do provide a better experience in my view.

 

Are Epson generally the "go-to" for interactive projectors?

 

We are currently exploring all avenues, and these seem to fit the bill to an extent.

[chazzy2501]

We use the Epson EB-575Wi interactive projectors. You can get them for £1000 they can be installed projecting onto a normal whiteboard (so the teacher can use the board without the projector with normal pens) Teachers like that option. Most of ours will go to 80" as the whiteboard dictates it's ultimate size.

 

Although I question the value of an interactive screen at all. (Mostly power points that could be done with a £30 laser pointer and a clicker)

 

We also have a 585 now and that will let you use the pens to change the input and power down the projector.

 

The 595 (I don't have) is the finger touch version as mentioned above and is currently £1250 from Roche but they have a 65" interactive TV for £1700...

[localzuk]

Are Epson generally the "go-to" for interactive projectors?

 

We are currently exploring all avenues, and these seem to fit the bill to an extent.

 

I've not come across any others as good so far!

[CamelMan]

Are Epson generally the "go-to" for interactive projectors?

We are currently exploring all avenues, and these seem to fit the bill to an extent.

 

The guys we use to source and fit our projectors/ IWB use either Epson or NEC. They swore by Epson for years but now use alot of NEC as "they are as good as the Epsons, bit more expensive but have better throw distance adjustments". They use and Epson for most stuff but NEC for those that they either cannot measure up or needs a bit more flexibility..

[synaesthesia]

We have one of the finger touch Epson's in our cookery room and it's a lovely bit of kit. Tricky to set up in the first place but once it's done you never need to worry about it again. Lots of handy options with it too, networkable, will see network shares etc without a computer, wireless option, direct visualiser connection if required etc. Same as @localzuk we can't justify the price of an interactive screen just yet, as much as we'd like to.

[snagrat]

My annoyance with the finger touch Epson is the screen size that is lost due to the sensor. We normally supplied a dry wipe for the full size of the image, but now you loose about 5in all the way round.